The Daniel Disipline

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's dainties, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. (Daniel 1:8)

The popular catch-phrase, "What would Jesus do?" could very well be recast "What would Daniel do?" and you would finish well! The book of Daniel is the youth manual of the bible. The practical book of Daniel is married to the principle book of Proverbs. Daniel puts flesh on the bones of Proverbs.

The Daniel narrative chronicles the entry of the Children of Israel, particularly Daniel and his three friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, into Babylonian captivity. The ways of Babylon were quite contrary to the divine Jewish teachings under which Daniel was raised. Daniel simply refused to negotiate any of his godly principles.

The great failure of many Christians is that we have not mastered the Daniel discipline; that is, we have not learned to give up what feels good for what is good. Truth be told, many of us would have more money, more time, more talents, more skills, more degrees, a better marriage, better children and an all together better experience with life and God. If we do the hard work God will reward us with the good feelings later. The wisdom of genuine success is delayed gratification.

The king took the best and brightest of the youth. He commanded that they be fed the Kings meat and the King's wine that they may be broad before the King; that is, that they would experience the provision and the pleasure of serving in the King's court, so that they may embrace Babylonian philosophy. Daniel was determined that he would not compromise to gain the favor of the world. Daniel was determined not to be comforted by worldly pleasures, provisions and philosophy. Discipline is "the strength and wisdom to stay on the course regardless of distraction or temptation. Daniel was determined to consist with what he had been taught in his godly upbringing. Many people die young. The cause of death is stupidity, not the stupidity of not knowing, but the stupidity of not listening. As God told Joshua, "Only be strong and very courageous, to observe and do according to all the law turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go."

Like Babylon, no culture tests all that we've taught our children as does college life. The provision that it promises in the long run, the pleasure it tempts them with daily, and the philosophy it sets them up to buy into are but bate, lined with the trap of compromise. Yet the emphasis throughout the book of Daniel seems to be that even young people can stand for the Lord under political, peer and practical pressure, and they will be the better for it. In fact, it guarantees that they will be use mightily of the Lord.

The king's meat and wine has no place to hook in Daniel, because he is already hooked on God.